Leadership development

Tools to impact and influence others

“Leadership doesn’t come by title. You don’t have to be the head of an organization to have an impact.

Morela Hernandez, Ligia Ramirez de Reynolds Collegiate Professor of Public Policy and faculty director of the Leadership Initiative

The field of public policy involves difficult work that includes strong scientific inquiry and analysis, as well as leadership skills to navigate politics, advocacy and coalition building, communication across differences, and the ability to envision and make change. 

We know that leadership doesn't "just happen." All of us have the capacity to lead—to make a positive impact on our organizations, communities, and the people around us.

The Ford School's competency-based curricula for all students include a strong focus on management and leadership skills. Our one-of-a-kind Leadership Initiative develops and offers a growing suite of graduate and undergraduate student leadership courses, coaching, and extracurricular programs that build on and complement the school's excellent, rigorous curriculum. Led by Professor Morela Hernandez and a team of leadership and career development professionals, our program is the only of its kind among policy schools.

The school also hosts a number of public events that allow students to interact with current and former policy leaders at all levels. These have included Hillary Clinton, Condoleezza Rice, Christopher Wray, Susan Rice, Gretchen Whitmer, and Stephen Biegun. Students are encouraged to access the Ford School’s top-notch Writing Center, including one-on-one tutorials and policy-writing modules.

Leadership development further leverages the key analytical skills that Ford School students possess, so they can lead themselves and others to make the change that they want to see in the world.